Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford is sitting Thursday for the second straight game due to a strained left elbow he suffered throwing long toss while he was on the disabled list.
Crawford took an injection in the elbow that has just about kicked in, and he expects to return to the lineup Friday at Chicago.
Manager Terry Francona called the injury "nothing serious" and just wanted to make sure that Crawford wasn't struggling with anything once he returned to the field.
"Rather than come back a day too early, we'll give him another day, not have him fight it," Francona said. "Nothing serious, just take care of it. Another day where he can sit, which is not so bad either."
Francona said Crawford has been fighting this for awhile, but it seemed to show its effects early this week. Crawford went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in the marathon loss to Kansas City on Monday and was 1-for-5 with two Ks the next night. At one point in time, he struck out in five straight at-bats. There was also a throw he made from left field that sailed well over the head of second baseman Dustin Pedroia on Tuesday.
Crawford had the shot after that game.
